KITCHENER – On Oct. 1, Kitchener Centre MPP Aislinn Clancy met with Child Witness Centre (CWC) representatives and partners to celebrate a $95,700 seed grant.
The grant, from the province’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), will help bridge critical gaps in mental health support for young survivors, officials say.
“The integration of cultural and trauma-informed support is so important for the long-term wellbeing of victims of abuse and crime, especially for young victims,” said Clancy.
“I’m glad the grant will help the Child Witness Centre expand their wraparound services, to help break the isolation that often comes with trauma and ensure that our community members are not left alone in their time of need.”
She added, “By investing in these services, we’re not just helping individuals heal, we’re building a more supportive and connected community where every person has the opportunity to thrive.”
Awarded in September 2024, the grant has funded critical strides made by the CWC in addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing their clients: the lack of immediate access to mental health support and counselling.
This funding enabled the agency to deliver short-term, trauma-informed crisis counselling to children and youth when they needed it most, while waiting for long-term care to become available.
The project is aimed at not only supporting young survivors at a crucial time in their healing journey, but also helping to reduce pressure on already overburdened community mental health services.
“The impact of this OTF grant has been an incredible investment,” said CWC executive director Robin Heald.
“We’ve strengthened our wraparound supports and enhanced our ability to provide immediate, trauma-informed care. Early intervention is essential for long-term recovery and wellness, and this funding helped us bridge a gap that so many children and families fall through.”
The OTF grant came at a time when the charity is experiencing high demand for its services and stretched resources, which resulted in starting a waitlist in late 2022.
Staff had to make difficult decisions daily on who they could serve and who had to wait for their vital services, officials say.
A total of 447 young people spent time on the waitlist before it was eliminated this March.
“When children and youth are supported at the moment they need it most, the long-term impact of trauma can be significantly reduced,” said Heald.
“We’re committed to doing everything we can to prevent another waitlist.
“Our goal is to continue strengthening our services to meet the needs of our community and prevent revictimization and the need for ongoing downstream services.”
CWC officials say every child and youth who has been hurt and harmed should be supported through the criminal justice system – and not have to walk the very difficult journey alone.
That is why they work closely with them, and their caregivers, from the time of investigation through to a court resolution.
The non-profit organization was founded in 1981. For more information visit childwitness.com.
